Man who robbed chef of P4 million nabbed in Antipolo

MANILA, Philippines — A man who allegedly stole P4 million worth of property from the house of celebrity chef and content creator Myke Tatung Sarthou last month was arrested in Antipolo City, Rizal on Sunday.

The case gained prominence after Sarthou complained of being repeatedly tossed between the Antipolo and Baras police offices due to jurisdiction issues, instead of receiving immediate assistance.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered an in-depth investigation into the case.

“This case should serve as a strong reminder that every complaint must be treated seriously, that every victim must be given proper assistance and that police officers would be held accountable in cases of failure to fulfill their sworn duty,” Nartatez said.

“If a case falls outside a station’s jurisdiction, personnel must provide appropriate assistance, properly document the complaint in accordance with established procedures and coordinate promptly with the unit concerned,” he added.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said Rizal police director Col. Eleazar Barber Jr. and the police chiefs of Baras and Antipolo are among the officers being investigated in connection with the incident.

Co said PNP officials could face administrative cases, if their only reason for not immediately assisting a victim of a crime is the border dispute.

Nartatez reminded police officers that territorial boundaries should not hinder them from responding to calls for help.